How guarana induces fat loss

Guarana is an herb that contains a form of caffeine called guaranine,
which is 2.5 times stronger than the caffeine found in coffee, tea and
soft drinks. What makes guaranine unique from caffeine found in beverages
is its slower release. That's because the guarana seed is fatty (even
in powder form) and is not readily water-soluble. Therefore the body does
not quickly absorb it.

Since the guaranine is released slowly, the energy boost that is experienced
from guarana is not like that of coffee with its sudden rush and quick
drop-off. Rather, it continues to escalate over hours.

While caffeine from beverages provides a short-lived energy burst that
overheats and excites the body, guaranine has a cooling action that revitalizes
and relaxes. This is because guarana contains other components that modify
the activity of this substance. The end result is more beneficial to the
body than tea or coffee.

Caffeine accelerates the effectiveness of CLA, thus making CLA a more
potent fat burner. Guarana has been shown to stimulate the migration of
lipids so fat can be burned as energy. It is also an appetite suppressant.

Guarana aids in a temporary, natural increase in body temperature and
metabolic thermogenesis through nutritional stimulation of the body's
ß receptor pathway, which can induce the breakdown and release of stored
body fat, thereby allowing stored fats to be turned into energy.

Thermogenesis refers to the body's production of heat, a normal part
of metabolic processes. Thermogenesis can be enhanced by certain nutritional
substances. When stimulated through appropriate dietary supplementation,
thermogenesis is also a mechanism that increases metabolic rate. Stored
body fat, if released and available for use, can provide the fuel for
this increased metabolic rate. Other active constituents of guarana are
theobromine and theophylline, which are called xanthines (a class of thermogenic
substances found in coffee, tea and certain beans). They have some effect
on increasing metabolic rate, suppressing appetite and enhancing both
physical and mental performance. They also act as muscle relaxants and
possess diuretic properties.

Guarana increases mental alertness, fights fatigue, and increases stamina
and physical endurance. Native to Brazil, guarana is taken daily as a
health tonic by millions of Brazilians. It is reported to help overcome
heat fatigue, detoxify the blood and is useful for flatulence and obesity.
In body care products, it has been used for its tonifying and astringent
properties, and in the treatment of cellulite.

In the United States, guarana holds a GRAS-status (Generally Regarded
As Safe). In 1989 a patent was filed on a guarana seed extract that was
capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation in mammals. The patent described
guarana's ability to prevent the formation of blood clots and to help
in the breakdown of clots that had already been formed. Clinical evidence
was presented in conjunction with the patent in 1989 and again in 1991
by a Brazilian research group demonstrating these antiaggregation properties.
Guarana has a long history of use as an energy tonic and for mental acuity
enhancement.

Clinical studies on guarana

In a study published in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of Human Nutrition Diet, guarana extract
induced weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients taking a mixed
herbal preparation containing yerbe mate, guarana and damiana. Body weight
reductions were 11.22 pounds in the guarana group compared to less than
one pound in the placebo group after 45 days.[22]

Guarana extract and fractions decreased platelet aggregation up to 37%
of control values and platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic
acid up to 78% of control values. When platelets hyperaggregate and/or
when excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop,
resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.[23]

In a 1997 study, guarana increased physical activity of rats, increased
physical endurance under stress and increased memory, with single doses
as well as with chronic doses. Interestingly enough, the study revealed
that a whole guarana seed extract performed better and more effectively
than did a comparable dosage of caffeine or ginseng extract.[24]

Another Brazilian research group has been studying guarana's apparent
effect of increasing memory. Its antibacterial properties against E. coli
and Salmonella have been documented as well.

A 1998 toxicology study with animals have shown that guarana is nontoxic
at even high dosages of up to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. This
same study demonstrated guarana's antioxidant properties saying, "Guarana
showed an antioxidant effect because, even at low concentrations (1.2
microg/ml), it inhibited the process of lipid peroxidation."[25]

A major advantage to taking guarana in an oil base capsule is its relatively
slow release into the body. In a study published in the journal Pharmacology Biochemical Behavior, a comparison
was made of the absorption of caffeine from coffee, cola or capsules.
Based on saliva caffeine concentrations, the absorption from capsules
was about 40% slower than that of coffee or colas. These capsules were
not oil-based, yet the rate of caffeine absorption was still significantly
slower than coffee or cola.[26]

Conclusion

The effect of CLA on blocking excess absorption of serum glucose and
fatty acids into adipocytes (fat cells) is remarkable. CLA induces a reduction
in the size of adipocytes. One reason people gain weight as they age is
that their adipocytes literally become fatter.

Another cause of increased body fat storage is the proliferation of adipocytes.
While CLA helps block the absorption of fat and sugar into adipocytes,
it does not reduce the actual number of adipocytes present. Guarana has
been shown to specifically reduce the number of adipocytes. When CLA was
combined with guarana, there was a 50% reduction in adipocyte number.

While many published studies document the fat-reducing effects of CLA,
the fact that CLA may protect against cancer, vascular disease and Type
II diabetes makes it a preferred supplement for health conscious people
to use daily.

In response to the study showing an added benefit when CLA is combined
with guarana, a new supplement has been formulated that contains potencies
of CLA and guarana that have demonstrated fat-losing effects in published
studies.

Find out more about Super CLA with Guarana

References

1. Experimental Biology Meeting, New Orleans. April
20-24, 2002. FASEB of Scientific Meetings and Conferences.



2. Ip C, Briggs SP, Haegele AD, et al. The efficacy of conjugated linoleic
acid in mammary cancer prevention is independent of the level or type
of fat in the diet. Carcinogenesis 1996 May;17(5):1045-50.




3. Liew C, Schut HA, Chin SF, et al. Protection of conjugated linoleic
acids against 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline-induced colon carcinogenesis
in the F344 rat: a study of inhibitory mechanisms. Carcinogenesis
1995 Dec;16(12):3037-43.



4. Kohlmeier L, Simonsen N, Mottus K. Dietary modifiers of carcinogenesis.
Environ Health Perspect 1995 Nov;103
Suppl 8:177-84.




5. Belury MA. Conjugated dienoic linoleate: a polyunsaturated fatty acid
with unique chemoprotective properties. Nutr Rev 1995 Apr;53(4 Pt 1):83-9.



6. Houseknecht KL, Vanden Heuvel JP et al. Dietary conjugated linoleic
acid normalizes impaired glucose tolerance in the Zucker diabetic fatty
fa/fa rat. Biochem Res Commun 1998; 244:678-82.



7. Kritchevsky D, Tepper SA, Wright S, et al. Influence of conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA) on establishment and progression of atherosclerosis
in rabbits. J Am Coll Nutr 2000 Aug;19(4):472S-477S.




8. Park Y, Albright KJ, Liu W, et al. Effect of conjugated linoleic acid
on body composition in mice. Lipids 1997 Aug;32(8):853-8.



9. West DB, Delany JP et al. Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body
fat and energy metabolism in the mouse. Am J Physiol 1998; 275:R667-72.




10. Ostrowska E, Muralitharan M, Cross RF, et al. Dietary conjugated linoleic
acids increase lean tissue and decrease fat deposition in growing pigs.
J Nutr 1999 Nov;129(11):2037-42.



11. Riserus U, Berglund L, Vessby B. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced
abdominal adipose tissue in obese middle-aged men with signs of the metabolic
syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Int
J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001 Aug;25(8):1129-35.



12. Blankson H, Stakkestad JA, Fagertun H, et al. Conjugated linoleic
acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans. J
Nutr 2000 Dec;130(12):2943-8.




13. Ip C, Banni S, Angioni E, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid-enriched
butter fat alters mammary gland morphogenesis and reduces cancer risk
in rats. J Nutr 1999 Dec;129(12):2135-42.



14. Ip MM, Masso-Welch PA, Shoemaker SF, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid
inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of normal rat mammary epithelial
cells in primary culture. Exp Cell Res 1999 Jul 10;250(1):22-34.




15. Banni S, Angioni E, Casu V, et al. Decrease in linoleic acid metabolites
as a potential mechanism in cancer risk reduction by conjugated linoleic
acid. Carcinogenesis 1999 Jun;20(6):1019-24.



16. Cesano A, Visonneau S, Scimeca JA, et al. Opposite effects of linoleic
acid and conjugated linoleic acid on human prostatic cancer in SCID mice.
Anticancer Res 1998 May-Jun;18(3A):1429-34.



17. McCarty MF. Activation of PPARgamma may mediate a portion of the anticancer
activity of conjugated linoleic acid. Med Hypotheses 2000 Sep;55(3):187-8.




18. Urquhart P, Parkin SM, Rogers JS, et al. The effect of conjugated
linoleic acid on arachidonic acid metabolism and eicosanoid production
in human saphenous vein endothelial cells. Biochim
Biophys Acta 2002 Feb 28;1580(2-3):150-60.



19. Miller A, Stanton C, Devery R. Modulation of arachidonic acid distribution
by conjugated linoleic acid isomers and linoleic acid in MCF-7 and SW480
cancer cells. Lipids 2001 Oct;36(10):1161-8.




20. Liu KL, Belury MA. Conjugated linoleic acid reduces arachidonic acid
content and PGE2 synthesis in murine keratinocytes. Cancer
Lett 1998 May 15;127(1-2):15-22.



21. Terpstra AH, Beynen AC, Everts H, et al. The decrease in body fat
in mice fed conjugated linoleic Acid is due to increases in energy expenditure
and energy loss in the excreta. J Nutr
2002 May;132(5):940-5.



22. Andersen T, Fogh J. Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following
a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients. J
Hum Nutr Diet 2001 Jun;14(3):243-50.




23. Bydlowski SP, D'Amico EA, Chamone DA. An aqueous extract of guarana
(Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis. Braz
J Med Biol Res 1991;24(4):421-4.



24. Espinola EB, Dias RF, Mattei R, et al. Pharmacological activity of
Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals. J
Ethnopharmacol 1997 Feb;55(3):223-9.




25. Mattei R, Dias RF, Espinola EB, et al. Guarana (Paullinia cupana):
toxic behavioral effects in laboratory animals and antioxidants activity
in vitro. J Ethnopharmacol 1998 Mar;60(2):111-6.



26. Miura T, Tatara M, Nakamura K, et al. Effect of guarana on exercise
in normal and epinephrine-induced glycogenolytic mice. Biol
Pharm Bull 1998 Jun;21(6):646-8.